To recap, we're two teams short in this session. Manor Marussia have engine software issues - completely understandably after missing so much testing - while Sauber are unlikely to run as the Van der Garde situation continues.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:02:47 AM

What about the weather forecast for this weekend?

by charlybt317 edited by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:04:10 AM

@charlybt317: The last forecast I saw suggested overcast days today and Saturday, with a spot of rain possible on Sunday.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:04:36 AM

Any word from the Honda engines? I heard they were live tweeting the events

by TailPipe3/13/2015 2:04:47 AM

@TailPipe: They created accounts for the two power units used at this weekend. Good, clean fun.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:05:05 AM

I know it's VERY early to say, but Martin Brundle said people in the paddock think Mercedes have even extended the gap and made it even further! And I don't know why but I think they have to, like I said I know it's still very very early to say but I think Mercedes have made the gap even further. One thing everyone is saying though that they are still at least 1 second per lap faster, but I think Mercedes have made the gap even bigger. What do you people think? What are your EARLY thoughts?

by Michael Gordon3/13/2015 2:05:19 AM

@MichaelGordon: Mercedes certainly looks pretty comfortable, both in the early stages here. But from what I saw from my two weeks in Barcelona it is clear McLaren has a great car at its disposal again.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:05:54 AM

Will Fernando Alonso have to use Kevin Magnussen's engine or will he get four separate power units when he returns?

by Ash3/13/2015 2:06:02 AM

@Ash: Engines are limited to team not to driver.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:06:24 AM

@Tailpipe: Last I heard from them they were under observation for trying to commit hara-kiri out of shame.

by mfbull3/13/2015 2:07:29 AM

I feel the gap may be the same now, but hopefully with the teams getting to develop the power units during the season, that gap will reduce.

@Rodster: Which conservative engines do you mean? If you mean turned down engines, I would suggest yes - this is practice after all so it's unlikely any of the teams are running at the absolute maximum. At least that is until we see some longer runs later in the session.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:08:58 AM

So many teams capable of beeing first (mercedes, red bull, ferrari, williams, mclaren and lotus) and sad to think that every year one of them will have to be behind which means only 6th at best...

by Michael Bialocur3/13/2015 2:09:45 AM

I am unable to watch, but are the ferraris seeming sloppy? Or is the car handling with ease?

by Sicilianking893/13/2015 2:55:41 AM

@Sicilianking89: From what I've seen the car looks a bit friendlier. It did in Spain, too. Watching trackside, Raikkonen looked much happier in both fast and slow corners.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:56:03 AM

it was fun, i sure be back, ty Nate for this. but a bit late overhere :-)

by Max Flying Dutchman3/13/2015 2:56:13 AM

@MaxFlyingDutchman: Thanks for joining!

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:56:38 AM

Mercedes tells Rosberg he needs to save a bit more fuel on his current stint. Hamilton was better in that regard last year, remember.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:57:03 AM

Seeing a replay of Vettel nibbling at the grass on the exit of Turn 10.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:57:26 AM

Does anyone knows how Jules Bianchi is doing? After the News he got transfered back home i never heard.anything.else about him, not even on this site

by Alexferfa3/13/2015 2:57:39 AM

@Alexferfa: We only report updates from his family or management, or the hospital. There are no updates so we respect his and the family's privacy until they feel ready to give us anything further.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:58:21 AM

How do lotus look on track? The power wasn't the problem last year. Have they sorted the chassis?

by Trush3/13/2015 2:58:26 AM

@Trush: Grosjean said yesterday he thinks there's been an even bigger step forward on the chassis side than on the engine side. Happy faces all around in the Lotus garage.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:58:51 AM

We're approaching the final minute of the session.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:59:00 AM

I wonder how Alonso feels now.. looking at the timesheets

by Marcus Mak3/13/2015 2:59:32 AM

@MarcusMak: Cue a joke about him finding it "shocking"

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 2:59:53 AM

I believe Jules is still in a state of coma but is breathing on his own. I do hope he wakes up soon.

by Is Manor taking part in FP1?3/13/2015 3:00:12 AM

@IsManortakingpartinFP1?: You must always be wary of reports of people who claim to be in the know, on Bianchi and Schumacher. I think you're right about his last update but remember to read anything with a pinch of salt on both men unless it's an official statement.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 3:00:47 AM

has that been confirmed that Alonso was shocked by the car?

by Bruce3/13/2015 3:00:49 AM

@Bruce: No, there was no electric shock. But people keep making the joke.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 3:01:05 AM

The practice session is over and now we will have a Virtual Safety Car test, one of the new rule changes to this year.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 3:01:26 AM

Alonso is training hard for the 1995 World Karting Championship.

by Steven Kaufman3/13/2015 3:01:33 AM

@StevenKaufman: Haha, very good. Though Briatore said that report was erroneous.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 3:02:01 AM

HA! @Steven Kaufman. Too soon!

by mfbull3/13/2015 3:02:44 AM

Lol steven

by Sammie Srini3/13/2015 3:02:47 AM

Steven Kaufman...love that joke...best of the day I reckon...ahahaha

by Capoa3/13/2015 3:02:51 AM

Rosberg or Hamilton for the win this weekend?

by F1 fann NZ3/13/2015 3:03:31 AM

@F1fannNZ: Hamilton.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 3:03:42 AM

There you have it. Shock horror, stop press, it's a Mercedes one-two in the first session. More woes for McLaren in the first session while confusion still reigns over the situation at Sauber.

by Nate Saunders3/13/2015 3:04:28 AM

That's all we have time for from FP1. We'll be back to do it all again in just over two hours.